ATTITUDE CHECK

How is your attitude? Are you constantly griping about your situation? Do you sometimes feel short changed in life? Do you complain to God about your life?

Would you rather be around a cheerful person or one constantly moaning and complaining about everything? I know there have been times in my past I caught myself complaining or not quite understanding things happening to me but then I realize that I need to trust God. He knows the "big picture"after all.

Even in the Bible there are many examples of complaining. They did not always turn out good. We may think we have it so bad in life but if you are fortunate to go on a overseas mission trip you realize you really do not have it so bad.

I have heard a person in poverty here in the United States is wealthy by Third World country standards. It is easy to become quickly spoiled or feel entitled to things we do not deserve. Sometimes we do not deserve the love of Jesus but He is there with open loving arms no matter how much you have constantly griped.

Sometimes we treat God pretty bad. Ignore him. Complain to Him. Moan and groan when a prayer is not answered fast enough.  He is patient with us and stands by waiting to hear you show love to Him by talking to Him in prayer. Do you need to "talk to Him" in prayer right now? Perhaps tell Him you are sorry for the bad attitude you have displayed when He has done so very much for you. He died a cruel death on the cross for all of us. 

Maybe it is time to do an "attitude check" and start praising instead of saying "whoa is me" all the time. 

Philippians 2:5(AMP) says 'Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:]'.  Further in Philippians 2:24 it says ' Do EVERYTHING without grumbling and complaining.'  Isn't it time to be thankful and praise him and stop whining? Praise Jesus for we are truly blessed.

PRAYER: This is the day you have made Lord and I will rejoice and be glad in it. Thank you for my life. Thank you for the friends and family in my life. Thank you for blessing me beyond measure. Thank you for the new exciting things you have prepared for me. Above al lthank you for hearing my prayers. In Jesus' name Amen.

DON'T QUIT PRAYING!!

Do you ever feel like you pray and pray some more but it seems like the thing you are praying about never changes? Luke 18:1 tells us to 'pray and never give up.' Never means never. Do not quit. Do not stop believing. Your faith grows through these hard times. 

In  Peter 1:7(KJV)  it says '

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold which perishes, may be tried by fire,  might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearance of Jesus Christ. I have written in the past about the fact Christians are on earth in sort of a training mode for our heavenly kingdom. What happens in our life is not always just about us. We are here to be witnesses. Seems at times we can not understand why bad things happen. I just know that God loves us even through the seemingly bad stuff. 

James 1:2-4(NIV) reminds us 'Consider it pure joy my brothers and sisters whenever you face trials of many kinds because you  know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance Let perseverance finish it's work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.' Are you able to pray a prayer that would release  your problems to God? Jesus wants us to lean on Him and trust Him. You can not be powerful for the Lord when you are all worried and doubting. Pray the prayer and then let God work no matter how long it takes.

PRAYER: Lord I thank you as I know you are working in my life and that of my family. You have a perfect plan. Help me trust and not worry. I give my life to you to use as you see fit. In Jesus name.Amen.

Click on link for a wonderful song of faith:
http://youtu.be/2ZuVtA7Vyk8

YET HE UTTERED NOT A WORD

Can you imagine yourself being yelled at, beaten, cursed, made fun of, blamed, and belittled but yet not opening up your mouth to defend yourself? Maybe some of these things have happened to you and your gut reaction initially is to rise up and say "stop it" These things and more happened to Jesus yet He was kind, gentle, and merciful and he "opened not his mouth" scripture says. Isaiah 53:7(NIV) says '

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.' Imagine having this happen to you and naturally you want to scream and fight back. As a believer we are supposed to try as best we can, with the Holy Spirit's help, to be like Him in all our ways, to include reacting to people. If you "pop a cork" so to speak, at the first conflict, say with a rude store clerk,you are not glorifying God very well are you? Matthew 27:12(NIV) further says 'when he was accused by the chief priests and elders he gave no answer.' Silence is golden especially in times when our human nature could start a doozy of a argument. 1 Peter 2:23(NIV) also says 'when they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate, when he suffered he made no threats. Instead he entrusted himself to He who judges justly. ' James 1:19(ESV) is a good verse to "sear" into your brain and be able to pull up when you are tested. It simply says 'Know this my beloved brothers, let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.'  Put this verse into practice both inside and outside your home. Many times in scripture there are references to speaking and being foolish when we do not think before opening our mouth. The gift of self control comes into play in a huge way. Do you suppose you could control the urge to lash back when insults and the like were hurled at you? With God's help you can. PRAYER: It is my desire Lord to control my anger and what I say. Sometimes I may feel I deserve to have the last word and get back at someone for hurting me. I know Lord what is needed is prayer and self control. With your help I can be a witness even when I am put to the test. In Jesus' name. Amen. Click on link below to worship God in song. http://youtu.be/CqIA_l2ypkE

TRAINING CAMP

 I am not sure how many other readers of this devotion have served in the military but you go through rigorous training to become equipped for the battles you may face ahead of you. Without proper training and weeding out of those who can not meet the physical and mental challenges  a fighting unit would be unprepared.  It is not just about being a service member because you are patriotic, but you are prepared at any time for battle.

Similarly in our civilian world as Christians we are being trained for spiritual warfare each and every day. Psalm 144:1(NASB) says 'A Psalm of David. Blessed be the Lord my rock who trains my hands for war. And my fingers for battle.'

 Here on earth we truly are in a battle for our very souls. Satan loves complacent believers, you know the kind who think Sunday is enough and feel they have 'arrived' because they go to a certain church and have been baptized. Satan can deceive us into becoming arrogant about being a certain denomination and you get busier fighting against whose church is right and you do not fight against your real enemy, the devil!

Do you want to be strong and be able to be used for the Lord's purposes? You know being here on Earth is not all about us. It is about service to the Lord. Don't just join a church like you would a country club or a gym and say 'that is that, check that block and got that tee shirt.' No we are here to lift the name of Jesus higher. To know how to get closer to the Lord instead of just having a "Sunday experience"  it is essential to open the Bible and read it and study it.

Psalm18:29(NIV) is a verse I just "happened" to turn to back in August 1975 when I was going through training with the Army but it is a great passage to memorize for every day battles with the enemy of our souls, Satan. 'With your help I can advance against a troop and with your help I can scale a wall.' That verse was a God thing because that is what we did in training, we jumped walls!

 Don't wait until tomorrow. Get into the Bible and start training to defeat the enemy. Start by reading the Psalms. It is a great starting point.

 PRAYER: Lord Jesus I know Satan  would love to take me out. I also know you are bigger and greater than him and his measly schemes. I have the power in the word of God to break his curse and defeat him. The devil has no authority over me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

 Click link below and praise God in song.
http://youtu.be/GsjJmk7tdk4

HURTING? TRY GOD!!

 

Each Sunday in church I watch as people go forward to the altar during prayer time. I witness people crying and lifting their hands up to Him. Some remain in their seats and pray. The other day a lady and her husband were in an embrace in front of me. The woman was crying and I was silently praying for her. Perhaps something in a song brought back a hurtful memory or she just had tremendous burden.

Burdens do not pick and choose. You may look at someone and think they are the perfect Christian but you have no idea what is going on inside of them. Perhaps a recent death in the family. Maybe a miscarriage or death of a child? Perhaps a child or spouse who is an alcoholic or drug addict. Maybe there is a person who is addicted to pornography. You might be surprised that there may be someone sitting there who just had an abortion. There could be a person struggling with same sex attraction. Maybe their spouse just walked out on them or asked for a divorce. Could've been the person has committed adultery. To think a believer has no problems is naive.

 Psalm 68:19(NASB) says 'Blessed be the Lord who daily bears our burden. The God who is our salvation.' If you have a prayer need and you are just about at the end of your rope just know you can cry out to Jesus.

Matthew 11:28(NIV) says 'Come to me all you who are burdened and heavy laden and I will give you rest.'  Are you carrying a heavy burden and need to talk or pray? Do you feel even your closest friends won't understand? God cares and he wants the devil to stop accusing you and making you feel ineffective or at fault. Satan is referred to as "the accuser of the brethren" in Romans 12:10. Don't allow him to make you feel like there is no hope. There is always hope. Hang on to God!

PRAYER: Lord I need you every minute of the day. I know you are my defense. I know that no matter what I can cry out to you. I thank you for helping me get though the storms of life. In Jesus' name. Amen.

1-800-759-0700 is a 24/7 Prayer Line run by The 700 Club.
1-800-329-0029 is a 24/7 Prayer Line run by Daystar


Click link below to worship of in song. Today I have included two.
http://youtu.be/jrnvSf2dX18
http://youtu.be/2KsfwvpcQhY

OUR COUNTRY NEEDS OUR PRAYERS

For those of us reading this living in the United States it is evident we greatly need prayer. What better day to pray than on the designated National Day of Prayer. The scriptures say in Psalm 33:12(NIV) that 'Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.'

The United States has been blessed by God ever since its founding over 235 years ago because we were a nation founded on the word of God. Our monuments in the nation's Capitol reflect this as does our currency. Forces are always at work to try to remove God from the equation. Look at nations who have shut Him out. They have not gone far.

Countries whose leaders try to play god fail miserably. Satan would love to see the US crumble. Look at where we are at today. In my lifetime I have seen the Supreme Court ban prayer from the public school and also say it is okay for a woman to kill the life growing inside of her because this baby is inconvenient. I am sorry but that is murder, not choice. We have allowed evil people to be elected to the highest offices in government. You can not run a country by simply saying 'God Bless The USA' at the end of a speech. There is more to it than that.

Our country has coddled to countries who say we are infidels. We have made speaking out against terrorism a huge wrong. It is called work place violence or something else. We can not continue to allow anti God unChristian forces to infiltrate our government. Christians must get on their knees and first repent for their silence and apathy or political leaning which prevented them from speaking up.

TV and movies have taken a nose dive morally speaking. I grew up with shows that truly were family oriented. The commercials on television now would never have been allowed. We have become a nation slowly being desensitized to evil. We fall into the category of political correctness more than Bible and God correctness. We are in need of revival. The Bible is our guide. It should not be edited to justify sinful lifestyles. Period.

2 Chronicles 7:14(NIV) says 'If my people who are called by name name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways then I will hear from heaven and I will forgive their sin and heal their land.' This verse was the battle cry back in 1980 during "Washington For Jesus" (which I attended) and it is still the battle cry today. It is time we truly repent, confess our sins,stop being complacent and bring revival to our land.'

PRAYER: Lord we pray for the healing of America. We are a broken nation. We have allowed the lies of Satan to even be written into laws in our Nations  Capitol. Shame on us for allowing this. I choose this day to continue to pray for the nation to repent and for God fearing men and women to be in the offices in this land. Turn evil men and women's heart to you. Let them cry out for forgiveness. In Jesus' name.Amen.

To pray for our nation's media go click on http://www.mastermediaintl.org/.


For more information on National Day of Prayer click pn http://nationaldayofprayer.org/ is the website for more information.

CLICK yet another link to listen to a wonderful song about AMERICA.

http://youtu.be/Sb9s4Y54adk

GOD IS ABLE....YES HE IS!!!!!

One of my all time favorite Bible verses is Ephesians 3:20. It used to be on a poster hanging in my first apartment in Pacific Grove,California. It says 'Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine according to His power at work in us'.

You may think your situation is impossible, but not to God. He is the Alpha and The Omega. He is the Almighty. He can raise from the dead and heal the blind. What is it that is on your heart that you can not seem to let go? Maybe you feel it is beyond hope. Nothing is beyond hope.

He is able to deliver you from bad habits. He is able to save your soul from hell. He is able to help your family member out of a dark pit of sin they are in. He is able to restore your marriage. He is able to set the prisoner free. He can deliver from alcohol or drug addiction. He is able to turn an evil person into a good one. You need not give up on praying and trust Him. Oh yes, Satan will lie to you and make you think God isn't working. Remember give it to God and let Him do his mighty work and stand back and be amazed.

PRAYER: Lord you area able to do all things and I am thankful for that. When I feel giving up help me to remember you have a big plan and I need to keep trusting you. You are not finished yet. In Jesus' name. Amen.


Click on link and get ready to praise God in song.

http://youtu.be/OCt1_V4Eoq8